Today, 3rd Graders at Hillsborough Elementary painted messages to remind everyone to keep pollutants out of storm drains at their school. We talked to them about stormwater runoff, and the students shared ideas for how to keep stormwater clean. Great job HES Dolphins!
This year, Orange County is raffling off a rain barrel as part of the Nature of Orange photo contest. There are a few more days to submit your entry! See Orange County's post for more info . . .
Did you know every adult entry in the 2026 Nature of Orange Photography Contest is automatically entered for a chance to win a FREE rain barrel?
Submit your photo by May 31 for your chance to win: https://t.co/aY6KtOxOHs
Theme: Water, Wetlands, and Wildlife
During warm months, algal blooms may occur. You can help prevent algal blooms by minimizing fertilizer use and following other practices that reduce nutrient pollution. NC Department of Environmental Quality provides reporting/identification info here: https://t.co/1aSSkVYdOn
The Eno River provides habitat for the Neuse River Waterdog. You can help protect their habitat by preventing erosion and reducing sediment in stormwater runoff. Learn more about this rare species: https://t.co/2dQ4MCmXL4
Invasive Chinese privet shades out native plants and can impact natural forest functions, which include water quality protection.
YOU CAN HELP by removing existing privet in your own yard and avoiding additional plantings. Identify Chinese privet: https://t.co/2JB2zVxqK6
Join us for a workshop and volunteering opportunity on invasive and native plant species!
Saturday, May 2
9am to Noon
Odie Street Stream Stabilization
See this link for details and to register: https://t.co/HNSgSl2r6e
In partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County.
Happy Earth Day Hillsborough! Thank you for helping keep our creeks and the Eno River clean for the fish, birds, people and all living things that depend on clean water and a healthy environment.
This Weds evening, stop by our table at the Orange County Earth Day Celebration at Blackwood Farm Park. See Orange County's post for more details, including a rain barrel workshop and raffle.
Celebrate Earth Day on April 22, 5:30–7:30 PM at Blackwood Farm Park. Enjoy family-friendly activities, hikes, and vendors. Rain Barrel Workshop at 5:30 with a raffle for a free barrel. Hosted by Orange County DEAPR. Info: (919) 245-2516.
At the Center for Watershed Protection's National Conference this week in Charlotte, Heather Fisher from our division and Executive Director Grace Messinger of Piedmont Conservation Council presented on the Odie Street Green Infrastructure project.
https://t.co/kR8ShWEzre
Do your plants need a rain barrel? Help save on irrigation costs while reducing stormwater impacts to our waterways. If you are a Hillsborough resident, consider purchasing a rain barrel through our program:
https://t.co/PbQJayW7Gr
Creek Week volunteers planted native plants along the Riverwalk this afternoon in the most recent bioswale installed here, which had been partially washed out during tropical storm Chantal. Thank you to all the volunteers and Triangle Fly Fishers for partnering on this event!
Creek Week volunteers spent Saturday morning cleaning trash from the Bellevue Branch stream corridor in West Hillsborough . . . incredible work and some unexpected finds! Thank you to all volunteers and to The Appropriate Sanitation Institute for partnering on this event.
Please join us on Saturday, the last day of Creek Week!
In addition to the morning trash cleanup (see earlier post), we will be installing native plants in the Riverwalk bioswale:
1 to 3pm
Sat., March 28
Park in the Eno River Brewing parking lot, 329 Eno Mountain Rd.
Don't miss your last chance to participate in Creek Week 2026! There are three opportunities on Saturday! Begin your day by picking up trash along Bellevue Branch, join a midday planting along Riverwalk or spend some of your afternoon visiting tables at a Creek Week celebration.
Missed Creek Week so far? Join Saturday's trash cleanup along Bellevue Branch:
Saturday March 28
9:00 - 11:00 am
154 Hayes St, Hillsborough
Wear closed-toed shoes. Not for participants under 16 years of age. To sign up or for more information, email:
[email protected]
Today, Town staff worked together with volunteers to cleanup trash along the Riverwalk today. Great job everyone!
For more Creek Week events:
https://t.co/cHMrjTTanq
Yesterday, Hillsborough Tree Board volunteers removed invasive species at the Hillsborough Visitors Center. The results are stunning! Work will continue in the corridor to ensure the area is restored with native vegetation. More events here:
https://t.co/cHMrjTTanq
Part of Orange County Creek Week, Volunteers installed a rain garden over the weekend at the Dorothy N. Johnson Community Center in Fairview.
For upcoming Creek Week events, see:
https://t.co/p4LhoMNY34
Help plant native plants in the new rain garden extension in the Fairview Community. Work alongside other volunteers from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 21. The rain garden is located at the Dorothy N. Johnson Community Center, 501 Rainey Ave in Hillsborough.